LOCATIONS

ANTALYA

Antalya deserves its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’ and is Turkeys biggest international sea resort located along the Turkish Riviera. Among the most popular holiday resorts in the Mediterranean this is destination not to be missed. Antalya is both a working city and a holiday resort, so no matter what time of the year you plan your visit, the area is open for business. Antalya always offers a fabulous mix of great beaches and local culture. Set along the Mediterranean coastline, the views are some of the very best the country has to offer. The back drop is the Taurus mountains which are scattered in pine trees offering a bright green backdrop in the summer months and a dusting of snow during the winter months. However, do not be fooled by the snow, the beaches are still suitable for sunbathing throughout most of the year but it does make for a spectacular view. At the bottom of the mountains you will find a long golden beach and a rich blue sea that meets the skyline. There are not many countries that can afford such a view and it will make a great addition to your family album.

Kaleici is the old town and is the remains of original city which now sits inside the new modern city. The old town is simply stunning and a lovely place to meander through the cobbled streets while stopping for refreshments along the way. Head downhill through the winding streets and it will take you to the harbour where you can take a boat tour for a few hours or a 40-minute Ferry ride to Kemer beach on the other side of the bay. Kaleici comes alive at night with a perfect mix of tourists and locals who enjoying the refreshing sea air while sampling the local beers, cocktails and cuisine. The atmosphere in the city is simply perfect with one of the best welcomes you will find anywhere in Turkey. The ancient walled city is accessed through Hadrian’s gate which is the original gate to the old city, erected in honour of a visit by the eponymous Roman Emperor, and is still in great condition today. On the outside of the walled city you will find the modern city and the busy Ataturk Boulevard where locals and tourists go to shop for clothing and shoes. The area caters for the latest trends with both original brands and designer fakes being available. Everything from handbags, wallets and watches can be found at great prices and there is always an opportunity to haggle. Just outside of Antalya, a 20-minute drive along the coast you will find some of the largest golf courses in Turkey many of which take advantage of the sea view and are absolutely stunning, being extremely well maintained, assuring lush green grass and top notch facilities.

If you fancy a bit of history, you can take a day trip to Olympos which was an ancient city in Lycia. It is said to date back to 4th century BC and is now part of a national park. The city has a vast history, being taken over by the Roman commander accompanied by the young Julius Caesar in 78 BC. Antalya Museum is one of the best in Turkey with a rich collection of ancient Roman Statues and marble sarcophaguses. Ancient objects are displayed in different sections and in chronological order; an absolute must see are the Marble Statues of ancient Gods/Goddesses and the statues of Roman Emperors. Most of the statues housed in the museum were brought here from the nearby ancient city of PERGE. Antalya Museum is only 10 minutes from city center and you can take a local tram, which runs every half an hour. 

To the eastern side of Antalya there is a popular waterfall named Duden Falls which sits on the cliff edge along with a large park area. The area is a great place to eat, drink and enjoy the view of Antalya bay with the mountains in the distance.  If you are planning something to raise the adrenalin levels, Antalya beach hosts a wide range of water sports including Jet Skiing and Parasailing. Day trips for white water rafting in the mountains are also very popular and offer some spectacular scenery.

The hotel offerings in Antalya go from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the small bohemian Pansiyons in the old town where it is possible to stay at a nightly rate equivalent to that of the cost of a coffee in London, to the monumental 5 star ultra all-inclusive contemporary palaces of Kundu and Lara Beach. There are also more upscale offerings in Kaleici as well as in other parts of the city, fashionable boutique hotels and other establishments that are the haunt of the rich and the famous. Its location on the Mediterranean is utterly breathtaking, the Mediterranean Sea stretches out to offer an endless vista of calm beauty and the area itself is certainly one for the bucket list.

ISTANBUL

There is so much that can be said about this unique city that stands as the gateway to both East and West. Istanbul manages to marry the restless and frenetic energy of a great and prosperous city with glamour and exoticism; a history as old as Rome and infinitely more colourful, this city offers something for everyone. 

The art and architecture is varied and impressive; parts of the city are lined with historical buildings adorned with ottoman architecture while other parts have some of the largest shopping malls you will find in Europe, selling both local and designer goods at very reasonable prices. The financial district has modern skyscrapers similar to those you would find in downtown New York. Istanbul is a huge city, for example it is 3 times the size of London and over 4 times the size of New York so there will never be a dull moment spent and never enough time to see everything on one visit or even two.

With a good range of hotels from boutique to 5 Star luxury there are literally thousands of hotels to choose from, according to your preference and of course your budget. Istanbul is a great city for an extended weekend break or a longer stay to enjoy the various areas of the city. The cuisine on offer is enough on its own to make you want to return, whether you prefer tasty street food or a fine dining restaurant. Every type of meat and fish dish is available within the city and the use of spices from both the east and west will simply make your mouth water, giving you a meal to remember for years to come.

In recent years, the city has been featured in many movie blockbusters such as Skyfall (James Bond) and Taken 2 (Liam Neeson). The city itself is a must see and although you may not run into Daniel Craig during your visit it is certainly one to add to your bucket list.

FETHIYE

Fethiye as a destination is a personal favourite of ours as there is so much to do for everyone. If you are planning a holiday with your family you will find daily tours such as the ‘12 Island’ boat trip, various Jeep Safaris, Dalayan river cruise and mud bath, Saklikent Gorge or if you are feeling energetic, one of the many water sports available such as white water rafting or kayaking.

A 15-minute drive from Fethiye town centre will bring you to the beach resort of Oludeniz. This is one of the most beautiful places along the Mediterranean to sit and watch the stunning sunset in one of the roof top bars. Oludeniz is the most photographed beach in Turkey and the sight of the beach as you come down the hillside is sure to take your breath away. With chilled out music and a cocktail in hand, watch the paragliders jump off the pine clad mountains before floating through the sky above; landing just feet away from you, along the beach front of golden sand. It is here that most people start to plan their next visit. Fethiye has a huge percentage of repeat visitors and we are sure that you will join the expanding numbers once you have been here.

Fethiye itself is a working town with a beautiful harbor and a marina. The old town is a great place to walk around and shop for leather goods including handbags, wallets and coats. There is a Tuesday market where both the local expat community and local Turkish population go to shop for their fruit and vegetables and local goods such as handbags and clothing (also known as designer fakes). There is a large selection of spices at a fraction of the cost in your home country. With all that is on offer, it is likely that you will be making a call to the airline before your day of departure, to increase your baggage allowance.

The Fethiye fish market will provide you with an unforgettable evening. Choose your fish from one of the many stalls in the centre of the market and let them know your choice of restaurant for the evening, which is just a few steps away; local musicians will join you while you eat mezes and fish and usually drink vast amounts of wine. The resort town of Hisaronu is a 10-minute drive from Fethiye town just up the hill.

Hisaronu is a mountain resort and is known for its vibrant nightlife. Here you will find a fun atmosphere during the evening with restaurants, bars and nightclubs suitable for all ages. There are many family bars with Karaoke themes, competitions and entertainment such as the Michael Jackson show, Tina Turner Show, Talk of the Town (drag show), Fire Show, Breakdancing and Belly dancers. Kaya Koy, also known as the ‘Ghost Town’ is a further 5-minutes drive from Hisaronu. Here you will not find any ghosts (that we know of) but ruins of old buildings from Roman times that is currently preserved as a museum. It is a great place for walking and you will find many garden restaurants offering personal BBQ’s within a chilled out and natural environment.

Ten minutes from Fethiye in the opposite direction you will find Calis Beach which is lined with many restaurants and bars with a quieter theme to that of Hisaronu. If you are planning a family holiday, a romantic break with your partner or a break away on your own we are sure you will not be disappointed with Fethiye as your chosen destination.

MARMARIS

Marmaris is a lively resort with the centre of town equipped with restaurants and a good size shopping area where you can find many fake designer goods. The marina houses some large yachts and is a good place to sit and watch the world go by while sipping a refreshing drink in the afternoon or for a private dinner during the evening.

The town of Marmaris is home to a long beach which stretches 10km down the coast line facing south west so is perfect for days spent relaxing in the sun. The clear blue waters are safe for swimming and offer a range of water sports including; Fly Boarding, Water Skiing, Fly Fish (this does not including sitting with a road, reel and a fly on the end!), Jet Skiing and Parasailing.

Just along the coast line, approximately 8km from Marmaris town centre, you will find the beach resort of Icmeler with a its popular white gold sandy beach. Scuba diving is also a popular activity here whether you are a beginner or an expert. If you fancy a day trip outside of the resort there are plenty to choose from including; A day trip to Rhodes, a Dalayan river cruise and mud bath, the Cleopatra Island Cruise or if you would like to travel further afield there are Ephesus and Pamukkale.

During the evening the resort town and beach front of Marmaris provides a lively atmosphere for families and couples who enjoy nightlife and sitting al fresco. In the centre of Marmaris you will find ‘bar street’ which is suitable for adults and couples who like to indulge in an evening of local spirits and entertainment. Bar street has a number of large nightclubs which are open until 4am. If you are planning a family holiday in a lively resort or you are planning a break away with a group of friends Marmaris is a great destination which is sure to meet your expectations